Don't expect another I-AA foe anywhere in BYU's near future

BYU athletic director Rondo Felhberg can't promise the Cougars will never schedule a team like Murray State again. Circumstances, coupled with the NCAA rule that allows major programs to include one game every four years against Division I-AA teams toward bowl qualification, make such contests possible.

"We don't have any plans to play Division I-AA schools," Felhberg said. "But in a situation like the one that arose with the cancellation of the Utah State game, it just worked out where this was the best solution for us."Next season, a game with the Racers would likely be welcome. BYU's 1999 home schedule may be the best ever. Washington, California, Virginia, San Diego State, Colorado State and Utah are all set to visit Cougar Stadium.

MORE ON THE SCHEDULE: BYU's home-and-home series with Virginia is expected to be finalized this week. After the Cavaliers visit Provo in 1999, the Cougars will open Virginia's new stadium in 2000. Both games will likely be televised by ESPN . . . Felhberg plans to meet with Wyoming officials about moving next year's game in Laramie from November to September when both teams have open dates.

RACER BACKERS: Fifty-five Murray State fans took advantage of a "Go West" travel package offered by the school's alumni association. Members of the group paid $499 each for airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, tickets to the game, a hospitality gathering Friday night and a souvenir.

SMALL WORLD: Murray State head coach Denver Johnson is a former pro offensive lineman. In 1983, he played for the now-defunct USFL's Los Angeles Express, where he protected a quarterback named Steve Young.

EXTRA POINTS: BYU has now scored in an NCAA record 290 straight games . . . Kicker Owen Pochman extended his streak of consecutive PATs made to 40 . . . LaVell Edwards picked up his 236th career victory. He is now two wins away from equaling former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes for seventh on the all-time Division I victory list.